Oklahoma’s holiday weekend on the recruiting trail ended with the kind of splash that can shape a class: quarterback Trey Tagliaferri is headed to Norman.
That commitment gives the Sooners a big-armed centerpiece for their 2028 class, and it also gives head coach Brent Venables, general manager Jim Nagy and the rest of the recruiting operation a jolt of momentum heading into July.
The weekend wasn’t spotless for OU. The Sooners have been making real progress in Utah, landing athlete Bode Sparrow and edge rusher Krew Jones in the 2027 class after signing offensive lineman Darius Afalava in the 2025 class, but they came up short in their push for a third player from the state. On Thursday, BYU kept 4-star edge rusher Uhila Wolfgramm home with his commitment.
Even so, Oklahoma’s defensive haul keeps building. Jones is joined by Bryant, AR, edge rusher Samuel Nelson, who is the brother of true freshman Matthew Nelson.
And with the upcoming 2026 season included, the Sooners could still have two years left with Taylor Wein and Adepoju Adebawore, plus three years left with Danny Okoye. That’s a lot of length and pressure coming off the edge, and opposing quarterbacks will have to account for it.
Tagliaferri’s path to Oklahoma moved fast. He committed to Notre Dame on June 25, backed off that pledge on July 1, and then landed with the Sooners just days later. The Oradell, NJ, product has drawn attention all along for his arm strength, and the rankings reflect that: he’s the No. 205 overall recruit and No. 14 quarterback in 247Sports’ Composite Ranking, while Rivals’ Industry Rating has him at No. 215 overall and No. 13 at quarterback.
With Jamison Roberts already in the mix, Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle now has his quarterbacks in place for the 2027 and 2028 recruiting classes. Both are listed at 6-foot-2, and both bring the kind of physical traits that pair well with arm talent - the sort of profile Arbuckle and the Sooners’ offensive staff should be able to maximize once John Mateer moves on.
After the weekend’s additions, Oklahoma’s 2027 class sits sixth in Rivals’ rankings and third in the SEC. In 247Sports’ Composite Team Rankings, the Sooners are holding at No. 5, behind Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Oregon and Miami, and one spot ahead of Texas.
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Oklahomas Once Historic Recruiting Run Is Suddenly Under Real Pressure
Oklahomas 2027 recruiting class looked like it was building toward something special not long ago, thanks to an early wave of commitments and a strong June that kept the Sooners near the top of the major rankings. But the momentum has cooled in a hurry, and the class has slipped to No. 6 as other programs have surged past after landing key prospects.
That drop leaves Oklahoma in unfamiliar territory for a program that has long treated elite recruiting finishes as the standard, not the goal. The Sooners still have room to climb with more decisions on the horizon, including a few targets who could reshape the class in short order, but they are now staring at the possibility of finishing outside the top 5 for the first time since 2010. [Read more 🡒]
Sam Bradford Is Now Tied To Oklahomas Biggest 2025 Question
Sam Bradford has quietly become part of one of Oklahomas biggest offseason storylines, lending his eye and experience to John Mateer as the quarterback gets ready for his second season in Norman. The former Sooners star and 2008 Heisman Trophy winner has been working with Mateer in the film room, a fitting role for a player whose own career was built on timing, accuracy and command.
For Oklahoma, the appeal is obvious. Mateers first season had its rough edges, and the Sooners are looking for cleaner decisions and sharper execution from the position this fall. Bradfords involvement gives the program an extra layer of credibility, and it also says something about how seriously the next step for Mateer is being taken, even if the full impact of that work will not be known until the games start. [Read more 🡒]
One Hidden Concern Could Change Everything For Oklahoma's Defensive Line
Oklahomas defensive line was one of the SECs most disruptive groups in 2025, finishing among the nations best and producing nine players with multiple sacks. The Sooners should still have a strong foundation up front with juniors David Stone and Jayden Jackson back in the fold, while Taylor Wein and others continue to compete for starting jobs, giving Brent Venables plenty of talent to work with again.
The one spot that could shape how far that unit goes is the depth at defensive tackle, where departures and transfers have left less certainty behind the starters. Trent Wilson and Nigel Smith II are still trying to establish themselves after limited action, and transfer Bishop Thomas arrives with a winding college path that includes stops at Florida State, Colorado and Georgia State, making the interior rotation a spot worth watching as Oklahoma sorts out its next wave of contributors. [Read more 🡒]